My reasons for choosing to switch to reusables were predominantly for comfort, and this is where I would personally judge pads and pants as equal. As long as you invest in decent quality brands.

In terms of product efficacy (how well they work), I believe you get what you pay for, and it is definitely worth paying more for a good quality product. The key is knowing your flow and getting the absorbency level right for your needs.

With both options, if they start to feel damp during the day then it’s time to change them or up your absorbency. Period underwear does however have a tendency to feel wet or damp quite quickly, so you probably should plan on changing pairs more frequently.

In general pants are designed to be worn for longer, meaning for a whole day or night without changing so if you have the right absorbency for you then you would need probably 2 pairs per day.
Quality period pants designed by reputable brands (not the Primark or Amazon cheapies which I do not recommend) usually hold up to multiple tampons worth of blood and can last up to 8 hours, or longer in the case of boxers designed for overnight.
You are also more likely to find them in different fitting styles, including thongs. They do need to fit you well and not be too loose, whichever style you go for.
Personally I do prefer pads because they are easier to change more frequently, meaning I feel fresher. This does mean that you need more of them, but when you compare the price of a pad to most branded period underwear, they are also more affordable.
Pads also dry significantly faster than pants. The absorbent gusset of pants encased in a waterproof section means it’s harder to get the air to circulate and dry them quickly. It can however depend on the main fabric of the pants too, and heavy cotton can take longer to dry than microfibre or mesh.
A combination of both can also work well!
If you want to change pants during the day at work, for example, it could feel a bit awkward getting undressed in a cubicle. You could always wear your period underwear but with a pad inside them, which you can remove and store in a small wetbag, leaving you with clean period pants on for the rest of the day.
Not in my experience. Disposables are way worse. And so uncomfortable too. Which is why I will never go back.

Don’t buy cheap

Whatever your preference, I would always buy the best quality you can afford. Cheap versions of both product types on Amazon might look like they are great value, but they probably won’t be as absorbent or last as long.

Many of them actually have the cheek to state that you can only wear them whilst using a tampon, which really is not the point.
Multiple reviewers show photos of how many pairs they go through in a day or how they fall apart after the first wash or wear.

These cheap versions are a complete con, and should not be sold named as period pants when they aren’t up to the job of handling even regular flows.

Not to mention the ethical implications of how or where they were manufactured. And I personally wouldn’t trust the ones in Primark either, or make a judgement on whether period pants work for you based on the cheapest out there.

Save your money and get some good branded pants - aren’t you worth it after all?

How long do they last?

Some pads brands say they have a lifespan of between 3-5 years and this sounds feasible to me. Some pants brands say they need replacing after just 2 years. But think how frequently would you replace your knickers normally? I would expect a decent quality set of period underwear to last the same timeframe.

A lot of period underwear brands recommend washing at only 30 degrees to make them last longer.

Brands I can particularly recommend for comfort and I have affiliation links (some including voucher codes) with are:

Brand new British brand and small business Power of Pants! are super sassy, colourful and practical to boot (follow link or enter “BERRIESANDBUNDLES” at checkout for an exclusive discount)
British brand WUKA who are the original makers of period pants in the UK and the dominant market leader. For good reason, the quality behind their products and ethics behind their manufacturing are revolutionary.
Aussie brand Modibodi are probably the most well known globally and are really pushing the boundaries in terms of style & product ranges.

If you want to hear more real women’s thoughts on period pants, please join my chat group. And share your thoughts too!